Today’s issue of TD is coming to you from Tokyo, courtesy of the Japan National Tourism Organization.

MORE than 300 buyers from around the world will come together with over 500 sellers on the first day of the Visit Japan Travel Mart being held today at the Tokyo Big Sight convention and exhibition centre.

Among them is a contingent of 20 Australian representatives, along with a record number of MICE specialists as Japan puts an increasing focus on the events sector.

Today’s proceedings include a ministerial round table session and the signing of a UN World Tourism Organisation code of ethics for tourism.

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JTB Australia took to the stage last night in Tokyo as the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) honoured the most successful incentive events to take place in the country over the past year.

As a precursor to the Visit Japan Travel Mart which starts today, the JNTO held its Japan Best Incentive Travel Awards for 2018 in which JTB Australia won for Best Community Contribution.

Other awards went to India’s Kulin Kumar Holidays for Best Creative Planning and to Taiwan’s Comfort Travel Service for overall Best Incentive Travel.

JNTO executive vice president Mamoru Kobori told guests incentives were becoming an increasingly important part of the country’s visitor economy.

“The Japanese Government is aiming to welcome 40 million more visitors to Japan by 2020,” Kobori said.

“Tourism in Japan is booming and the tourism industry has never received so much recognition for bolstering the economy and creating mutual friendships through travel.”

JTB was recognised for an event involving Australian representatives of a Japanese motor company, who travelled to Japan with their families.

JTB Australia general manager Kumiko Hardy said the group were “all very seasoned Japan visitors”, and so the islands of Okinawa had been chosen to present a fresh perspective on Japan and its history and culture.

Pictured last night in Tokyo are: JNTO president Satoshi Seino, JTB Australia gm Kumiko Hardy and JNTO exec vp Mamoru Kobori.